Cheap fares, particularly cheap airplane tickets, are so readily available that three kids (ages 15, 13, and 11) on the spur of the moment decided last Tuesday, 8/10, to purchase tickets with baby-sitting money and board a plane to Nashville without their parents knowledge. The oldest paid for their tickets in cash and they took a Southwest flight from Jacksonville to Nashville. No one asked these kids any questions or even for ID even when they passed through airport security.
The kids destination was an amusement park in Dollywood, Tennessee. Upon arriving at the Nashville airport, and discovering that Dollywood was hundreds of miles away, with only $40 remaining between them, they decided to call their parents.
I just wanted to fly said 15 year old Bridget Brown. I had the money.
The parents would like to know how this trip was possible. Southwest responded that their minor traveling policy covers children ages 5 through 11 traveling alone was not violated since the 11 year old minor was traveling with two older children. Apparently these kids were able to pass through security because the Transportation Security Administration does not require anyone under 18 to show ID.
The only open question is whether these minors should have been able to purchase airline tickets. Southwest has yet to comment on this question.
Once Nashville airport officials became aware of the situation the children were immediately rebooked on return flights. Southwest refunded their airfare.
It will be interesting to see if this incident leads any airlines, airports, or airport security to change their policies.
www.cheapfares.com